Job interviews primarily focus on your professional experiences and qualifications to help prospective employers determine your suitability for the position. However, employers are also interested in your personal goals. Talking about your ambitions for the future helps the interviewer gain a better understanding of your personality, worldview and goals to decide whether these are in alignment with the company mission. Although honesty is the best policy in any job interview, it's best to discuss goals that are career focused and highlight skills and interests that align with the position you're applying for.

You Want to Own Your Own Company

According to the Kauffman startup index, more than half a million people open a new business every month. In fact, multiple studies indicate that nearly half of all adults want to own their own business at some point. If you are one of them, and dream of starting your own bakery or surf school somewhere down the line, that's great, but you may not want to mention this as a personal goal during your job interview. If employers suspect that you’re clocking in to accrue savings and experience before leaving to start your own gig, they’re unlikely to hire you. Instead of discussing your desire to own your own company, talk about about how you’d like to use your leadership skills to help others. For example, mention how you want to position yourself to have more time to volunteer and put your skills to work to benefit others. This is an opportunity to discuss your leadership skills and people skills in more detail, persuading a potential employer that you’re the best fit for the job.

You Want to Retire Early

Perhaps you see yourself lounging on a black sand beach in the next five years, but this answer will not impress interviewers. You can, however, indicate interest in travel and talk about how the company’s commitment to sustainable sourcing and fair international trade are in alignment with your commitment to the global community. Mentioning a love of travel is a great way to make professional connections related to respecting diversity, embracing multiculturalism and honoring people as individuals.

You Want to Settle Down

Although you might plan to marry and have children some day, an interview isn’t the time to mention these personal goals. In fact, it's illegal for interviewers to even ask questions related to a candidate's personal life, i.e., family or family plans, so it's best not to bring this information up on your own. Employers sometimes have misconceptions about whether people can prioritize families and their careers. If you’re already talking about matching outfits for a son and daughter, a potential boss could be envisioning all the time off you’re going to need to raise them. Keep these highly personal goals to yourself, though it’s fine to mention that you come from a close-knit family and you enjoy spending time with them. Talking about the importance of family can help you make points about your professional loyalty, commitment and pride.

You Want to Learn New Skills

Speak passionately about new skills you’d like to acquire in the future to demonstrate that you’re a lifelong learner. Learning French, studying computer programming or practicing tae kwon do can demonstrate that you commit to learn new things, follow through and develop skills in the process. Make connections with the position by discussing how you thrive in a changing environment, adapting to new circumstances and taking on new challenges.